Karti remark: Congress unlikely to take action

While the statement by former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti, deriding the 'high command culture' of the Congress, has sent ripples through the Grand Old Party, no action is likely to be taken against him. Reason: Many within the party feel Karti, an All India Congress Party member, has only voiced the view of a majority of party members.

Reacting to the split in the Tamil Nadu unit of the party with former minister G K Vasan walking out of the party, Karti had said on Wednesday: "The Tamil Nadu unit must have a fair amount of autonomy in functioning. We must re-think this high-command observer culture."

While the anti-Chidambaram faction within the party demanded action against Karti for "violating party disciple", party leader Digvijaya Singh was on record saying "those who don't believe in the party can leave it".

Asked if any action would be taken against Karti, Congress spokesperson Salman Khurshid on Friday refused to comment. Khurshid said "such issues should be raised within the party", but added diverse views should be encouraged, as it would result in frank discussions.

Karti's views are echoed by many within the party. "What Karti had said is not wrong. Party general secretaries are competent enough to take decisions related to the workings of the state unit they are in charge of. Waiting for a central observer to be sent by the high command delays quick action required on the ground. Nobody can deny that," a senior party leader told Business Standard.

Karti had said: "There are some serious issues we must look into. The Tamil Nadu political space is very crowded. The Congress has to be more pro-active. We cannot wait for Delhi to show the path in every single way."

In the wake of the feedback from party workers, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi have started giving greater access to partymen to meet them.